point should not be raised, but that on the formation of the Tory Government, the principal Whig ladies should retire, and their places be filled by others appointed by Sir Robert.  Thus, in effect, though not in form, the Crown abandoned the claims of 1839, and they have never been subsequently put forward.  The transaction was a turning point in the Prince’s career.  He had conducted an important negotiation with skill and tact; he had been brought into close and friendly relations with the new Prime Minister; it was obvious that a great political future lay before him.  Victoria was much impressed and deeply grateful.  “My dearest Angel,” she told King Leopold, “is indeed a great comfort to me.  He takes the greatest interest in what goes on, feeling with and for me, and yet abstaining as he ought from biasing me either way, though we talk much on the subject, and his judgment is, as you say, good and mild.”  She was in need of all the comfort and assistance he could give her.  Lord M. was going, and she could hardly bring herself to speak to Peel.  Yes; she would discuss everything with Albert now!

Stockmar, who had returned to England, watched the departure of Lord Melbourne with satisfaction.  If all went well, the Prince should now wield a supreme political influence over Victoria.  But would all go well??  An unexpected development put the Baron into a serious fright.  When the dreadful moment finally came, and the Queen, in anguish, bade adieu to her beloved Minister, it was settled between them that, though it would be inadvisable to meet very often, they could continue to correspond.  Never were the inconsistencies of Lord Melbourne’s character shown more clearly than in what followed.  So long as he was in office, his attitude towards Peel had been irreproachable; he had done all he could to facilitate the change of government, he had even, through more than one channel, transmitted privately to his successful rival advice as to the best means of winning the Queen’s good graces.  Yet, no sooner was he in opposition than his heart failed him.  He could not bear the thought of surrendering altogether the privilege and the pleasure of giving counsel to Victoria—­of being cut off completely from the power and the intimacy which had been his for so long and in such abundant measure.  Though he had declared that he would be perfectly discreet in his letters, he could not resist taking advantage of the opening they afforded.  He discussed in detail various public questions, and, in particular, gave the Queen a great deal of advice in the matter of appointments.  This advice was followed.  Lord Melbourne recommended that Lord Heytesbury, who, he said, was an able man, should be made Ambassador at Vienna; and a week later the Queen wrote to the Foreign Secretary urging that Lord Heytesbury, whom she believed to be a very able man, should be employed “on some important mission.”  Stockmar was very much alarmed.  He wrote a memorandum,